Six soldiers were killed while four others were wounded during an encounter between government troops and lawless elements together with the Abu Sayyaf group in Sumisip Basilan last Wednesday.

Soldiers were engaged in battle with the Abu Sayyaf when the latter’s sympathizers, composed of relatives and friends, joined in the encounter and attack the soldiers.

A Western Mindanao Command report said that initially, elements under the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion conducted a strike operation targeting the Abu Sayyaf under Siar Alhamsirol and Parong Tedi in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip at around 12:41 Wednesday afternoon.

When the warring groups reached the Basilan Circumferential Road in Sumisip, the bandits were reinforced by lawless elements who also engaged the troops.

“As they edged towards the circumferential road, operating troops were met with heavy fire by lawless elemens believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf bandits,” said Colonel Juvymax Uy, TaskForce Basilan Commander.

Troops under the Army’s 64th and 68th Infantry Battalions augmented the troops. Close air support was also provided by the Air Force.

Six soldiers were killed while four were wounded. There were also an undetermined number of casualties on the side of the Abu Sayyaf. (Liza Jocson)